Abstract
Australia’s research-intensive universities have established a range of transnational education (TNE) initiatives globally, including branch campuses, joint institutes and dual degree programs. While these initiatives are often assessed through recruitment outcomes, they are frequently established to achieve broader institutional objectives. Despite growing investment in TNE, little research has explored how university leaders define the strategic value of offshore education and the factors influencing long-term commitment to these activities. This poster explores how senior staff involved in international strategy, partnerships and offshore delivery perceive the role of TNE within research intensive universities. Drawing on interviews with institutional leaders, this qualitative study examines the factors that influence investment, expansion and long-term engagement in offshore education. Participants highlighted a range of considerations, including reputation building, partnership development, diversification of revenue, market positioning, and soft diplomacy. The findings also demonstrate how these objectives are balanced against governance requirements, quality assurance expectations, resource commitments and operational challenges. The poster offers practical insights into how research-intensive universities approach TNE strategy and how institutional success measures often extend beyond enrolment growth alone. In doing so, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolving role of TNE within the internationalisation strategies of research-intensive universities.Learning objectives
- Explore the factors influencing why research-intensive universities establish and maintain TNE operations
- Understand how institutional leaders define TNE success beyond student recruitment and enrolment growth
- Examine the role of reputation, research collaboration, partnership development and market positioning in shaping TNE strategy
- Identify governance, quality assurance and operational considerations that influence institutional decision-making
- Consider implications for future internationalisation strategies and offshore education planning within research-intensive universities
